Seed-borne Fusarium threatens crown rot control strategies – Tamworth 2011

Abstract

Key findings • Sowing Fusarium infected seed significantly reduces crop establishment. • Sowing Fusarium infected seed can also introduce seed-borne crown rot into surviving plants which potentially diminishes any break crop benefits on inoculum levels. • The seed treatments examined in this study had limited activity on improving establishment and reducing seed-borne crown rot levels when sowing seed with high levels of Fusarium infection. • Growers should sow seed free of Fusarium or with as low a level as possible.